Magician to be Burned at the Stake

Published May 15. 2012 8:39PM Updated May 24. 2012 10:39AM

MAGICIAN TO BE BURNED AT THE STAKE FOR RENAISSANCE FAIRE'S OPENING DAY

ANSONIA--Magician Daniel Greenwolf wants to change history on June 23, during the opening day of the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. By attempting to cheat fate, as so many other Medieval-era prestidigitators have failed to do, he will escape being burned at the stake.

And he is only going to do it once.

GreenWolf will be secured with over 100 feet of chain, locks and rope, to a 12-foot wooden stake on a raised platform in an open field, surrounded by logs and tinder covered in gasoline. A burning torch controlled by a medieval-styled timer will fall and ignite the platform once time runs out. Daniel GreenWolf wil lhave only minutes to escape the fate of his ancestors.

"I have wanted to perform this escape for over 10 years," says GreenWolf, who--if all goes well--will be performing his magic shows at the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire. "I just never felt I had the physicality to succeed." Daniel GreenWolf, who has lost over 135 pounds, has spent the last two years phycisally preparing for this escape by increaing his endurance and strength, which the magician says he will need every ounce of to succeed.

The theme of the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire is "Inspire Imagination." And although GreenWolf admits he doesn't want to sinpire people to tie themselves to burning stakes, he says he does want to inspire people to do amazing things.

The Renaissance Fiare is giving 10 percent of proceeds to "Against Malaria Foundation," which provides underdeveloped countries with much needed supplies to combat malaria. "And that," says GreenWolf," is a pretty amazing thing."

The escape will take place on Saturday, June 23, the opening night of the fairre, at 8:30 p.m. The Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire runs for three weekends from June 23 to July 8 at Warsaw Park on Pulaski Highway in Ansonia. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.MFRenFaire.com.